Jeanne McCoy Purnhagen Schaal

(nee McCoy and Purnhagen)

Jeanne (McCoy) Purnhagen Schaal, age 93, passed away on December 2, 2013 in Chandler, AZ. Born September 13, 1920 in Springfield, OH. Preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Leona McCoy; sister, Lillian Tupes; and husbands Erwin Purnhagen and Mansfield Schaal. Survived by son, William (Mary) Purnhagen of Chandler AZ, stepsons Gary (Barbara) Schaal of Hilliard OH and Patrick (Pamela) Fleming of Scottsdale AZ. Survived by grandchildren Joseph (Mara) Purnhagen of Chagrin Falls OH, Eric (Kristi) Purnhagen of Centerville OH, Erin Purnhagen of Dayton OH, Stacy Schaal of Columbus OH, Michael Schaal of Columbus OH, Meredith Fleming of Los Angeles, CA, and Patrick (Mollyanne) Fleming of Portland OR. Also survived by great-grandchildren Henry, Quinn, Elias, August, Emma, and Grant Purnhagen, James Chatmon, Laddy Davis, and Loland and Winston Fleming. Jeanne was a pioneer in many areas of her life. She began her career at 18 with the Ohio Bell Telephone Company, followed by Battelle Memorial Institute, Clyde Williams and Company, and the National Board of YMCA’s. She went on to become the founding Director of Ohio Business Week Foundation, mentoring high school students about the principles of business and the Free Enterprise system. She later served on the Managing Board of Ohio Business Week, and was recognized by Ernst and Young for her work in the Entrepreneur of the Year program for high school students. A single mother by the time she was 28, Jeanne always found the time to be involved in school activities and to volunteer in many professional and community organizations: She served as President of the American Business Women’s Association (Rose Capital Chapter) and was named ABWA Woman of the Year in 1961. She was actively involved as Membership Director and as a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee for the Upper Arlington Chamber of Commerce for over ten years, as well as the Upper Arlington Commission on Aging. She was honored and proud to have served as the first woman President of the Kiwanis Club of Northwest Columbus. Jeanne was also a member of the Zonta Club of Columbus, the Press Club of Ohio, International Association of Retired Directors of YMCA’s, Republican Club of Ohio, Downtown Women’s Republican Club, the Republican Chairman’s Club of Franklin County, Ohio Federation of Republican Women, and American Federation of Aging Research-Ohio Affiliates. Additionally, Jeanne was a member of Retired Battelle Associates, Pro Musica Sustaining Board, the Central Ohio Division of Project Hope, North High School Women’s Alumni Association, Honorary Member of Greenfield Ohio Alpha Y-Gradale, a member of the Education Board of the League of Women Voters, Columbus Metropolitan Club, Certified Professional Managers, National Society of Fundraising Executives, a past District Officer of the Women’s Political Caucus, Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio, Ohio Society of Association Executives, a former Council Area Region Officer of International Toastmistress Clubs, and the Advisory Council of the Forum at Knightsbridge. Jeanne is listed in Who’s Who in American Women (1968-69 and 1981-82), Dictionary of International Biography, The Two Thousand Women of Achievement, the National Register of Prominent Americans, and the Community Leaders of America. A 50-year member of Maple Grove United Methodist Church, Jeanne was the first woman to serve as a member of the Finance Commission. She also served as a member of the Staff Parish Commission, a Sunday school teacher and as a leader in Jr. High School activities. After moving to Upper Arlington in 1975, she became actively involved at Trinity United Methodist Church. Through her faith, Jeanne learned early to manage adversity, to balance personal and professional interests well, and to bring her smile, enthusiasm and optimism to all aspects of her life. Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 pm Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road. Funeral Service will be held 10:00 am Thursday, December 12, 2013 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1581 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, with Rev. Philip Brooks officiating. Entombment to follow Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice, in Jeanne’s memory. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send a condolence or share a memory with Jeanne’s family.